Australia bounce back to beat Korea 4-2

Olympic champions Australia exhibited a great fight back to snatch an astounding victory over Korea and book a berth in the final.

Olympic champions Australia exhibited a great fight back to snatch an astounding 4-2 victory over Asian challengers South Korea and book a berth in the final of the men's hockey World Cup on Friday.

HT Image

Twice down by a goal in a thrilling semifinal clash, the never-say-die Aussies slammed four goals in the second half to stamp their authority and march into the final in style at the Warsteiner Hockey Park.

In a high-class encounter of aggressive and near-flawless hockey, Koreans gave the No 1 ranked Australians a run for their money through goals by drag-flicker Jong Hyun Jang (31st minute) and Seong Jung Kang (41st).

But, the Kangaroos came back to fire four goals through strikes by captain Bevan George (38th), Travis Brooks (51st), Jamie Dwyer (61st) and M McCan (70th) and smash the Koreans' golden dream.

The valiant and incredible saves by Korean custodian Dong Sik Ko as well as the advantage of getting the lead twice in the match went in vain for Korea, semi-finalists at the 2002 World Cup, as they met a similar fate tonight.

The Koreans, enjoyed a good first-half when they had Australia on the ropes with a series of penetrative attacks before forging ahead when Jong Hyun Jang converted the third penalty corner.